Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

After the successful launch of Newport’s first indie and live music night, Radieux, its creators dream of fuelling a new Arts movement.

The Shutes’ frontman Michael Champion and his friend Michael Yates were inspired by Sixties’ culture and Berlin’s ‘White Trash’ club night in conceiving Radieux (pronounced ‘Radio’), which will bring together mainland bands and local talent.

The pair say it was a ‘mutual agreement’.

“It’s all standard club nights. We wanted to do something different with live music as well, Island bands, UK bands and DJs.”

(more…)

Mothering Sunday is fast approaching.

It’s that time of year when we push the boat out to show our dear Mums how much we appreciate them.

So if you’re wondering what to do for your Mum this year, why not consider a taking her along to an award winning country house?

Skip the traditional big lunch and delight your Mum with a very special High Tea, served on traditional cake stands with Champagne and red roses!

(more…)

You may have seen on VB in previous years that the Enchanted Manor in Niton has won awards from the AA as Funkiest B&B in the UK – as well as Best Guest Accommodation and Hospitality Award from the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce.

Their latest accolade is to be voted the sixth best European B&B in the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2010 awards.

(more…)

We’re all too well aware of the problems that a series of landslides have had on the Ventnor/Niton Undercliff Road over the years.

A multi million pound stabilisation scheme was called to a halt over two years ago, but as mother nature stops for no man, the problem of further landslides is a worrying reality still being faced by those who live and use the road between Ventnor to Niton.

(more…)

A classical music concert is taking place at Niton Parish Church on tonight featuring the Tagire String Duo – James Halsey on cello and Frances Mason on violin.

At Niton they will be presenting a mixture of music from famous composers such as Bach and Mozart to less familiar gems discovered by the duo.

Tickets for this concert are £7.00 each for adults and £2.00 each for children.

They can be obtained from Niton Post Office or St Lawrence Post Office. You can also book by phoning 01983-730930 or 01983-730494.

All profits from this event will go to the Niton Church Amenity Project.

Image: asluthier

A classical music concert is taking place at Niton Parish Church on Thurday, November 12th featuring the Tagire String Duo – James Halsey on cello and Frances Mason on violin.

As as been said on VB before, they are a very popular on the Island, not only for their expressive virtuosic performances but also for their very informative and entertaining introductions to the pieces.

At Niton they will be presenting a mixture of music from famous composers such as Bach and Mozart to less familiar gems discovered by the duo.

(more…)

If you have a pet dog which hasn’t been microchipped, or your bike doesn’t have an security marking on it, why not take advantage of this offer from the IWC.

In a couple of weeks time, the Isle of Wight Council Community Safety Services will be conducting a tour of the South Wight offering low-cost dog chipping and free security marking for bicycles.

There are several stops on the tour, starting with Chale Green first between 9am – 10.30am on the Green.

(more…)

Niton Pre-School will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday 10th October.

Between 10am and 12 noon at to Niton Village Hall join staff amd parents of the pre-school for for coffee and cakes.

There’ll be a chocolate tombola, harvest hamper raffle, cakes sale, a used-toy sale.

(more…)

There’s a set temporary traffic lights at Leechmore Cross along the Niton Road today.

They are where Beacon Alley and Appleford Road cross the Niton Road at the sharp(ish) bend.

Driving along there earlier we got stuck at the lights, which have a remarkably long change, so if you’re in a bit of a hurry, they’re best avoided.

It’s all supposed to be cleared up tomorrow.

Map location after the jump

(more…)

On the 24th September the Niton and District Camera Club will hold their first meeting of the new season.

The group will meet on a regular basis throughout the season and also hold exhibitions at Niton Village Hall.

New members are always welcome, both digital and print.

If you fancy popping along, make your way to the Village Hall in Niton.

Image of Niton Village Hall reproduced courtesy of Auntie P, copyright remains with the photographer

This coming weekend sees an amazing event take place on the Wight – or should we say ‘just off the Wight’.

Men of Wight Morris Dancers will be flown over the Solent to Bramble Bank (halfway between the Island and Southampton) by Hovertravel for a spot of Morris dancing!

It’s all part of grand tour around the Island that the Men of Wight will be taking part in between 21-23 August.

There’ll be displays around the Island with a massed display on Sandown Seafront at 4pm on the Saturday and 12:30 pm on Sunday on Cowes Seafront when the Men of Wight will be joined by 100 Morris Dancers from around the UK.

(more…)

Running alongside Through The Fire is a related exhibition called All Fired Up.

Taking place in the Learning Curve Gallery, this inspiring and informative exhibition celebrates the enthusiasm and varied talents of the people of Niton who engaged in the considerable technical and artistic challenges of making and using the Island’s first high temperature wood-fired kiln.

Linked to Neil Tregear and Molly Attrill’s exhibition – Through The Fire; this exhibition documents a truly communal achievement through the medium of photography.

Individual pieces made by the local community will also be on display.

Joint Drinks Reception: Michael West and Learning Curve
Gallery, Sat 22 Aug 2 – 4 pm All Welcome

Thanks to Harry Windsor for sending through this information which will be of interest to many readers in the wider Ventnor area. Ed

Many people will be aware of the proposed changes to the IW Fire & Rescue Service taking place on the Island.

If you have an interest in the provision for the South Wight area you might want to head down to the Ventnor Winter Gardens at the end of the month for a presentation on the proposals.

(more…)

An afternoon and evening of live music and fun for all the family takes place on Saturday 18th July 09, from 1pm to 11pm at Niton Primary School.

The event has been organised by The Friends of Niton School as a fund raising event. FONS (hence FONStival) raises money which goes towards additional resources and both educational and fun activities for the children of Niton Primary School.

A seed of an idea which has developed into something very exciting, we have had some very generous input from some of the Island’s very best up and coming talent, which resulted in a fantastic family event last year and promises this year to be even better.

With expectations high this year and an amazing line up we are sure to reach our licensed limit of revelers.

(more…)

Those wacky musicians Dan and Sam, The Adventurists, will be heading south today with with their bicycle/solar powered stage after their debut gig at Dimbola Lodge last night.

They start the day with a free gig at Black Gang Chine at 1pm, followed by another free gig at the Viewpoint Car Park (above Black Gang Chine) at 3pm. UPDATE: Day gigs cancelled due to cycling conditions. Evening gig still on.

After catching some rays and mingling with their audience they’ll be getting on their bikes again and following the smuggler’s trail to the Buddle Inn in Niton.

From 8pm, with support from Holly Kirby, Ed Miller, Rose Millard and Zoe Eady you can watch The Adventurists for just a fiver.

To make sure you don’t miss out book your tickets by calling 730930

If you were thinking about organising a music tour, but wanted to do something a bit more exciting than just playing at a handful of venues over a several nights, you’d need to dig deep and bring out the more adventurous side of your personality.

That is just what Sam Walker (John Watts, Turning Green) and Daniel Clark (The Hat, Lou Rhodes) have done with what we predict, will be amazing results.

The lads have joined forces to create ‘The Adventurists‘, a band where the Celtic Harp, Steel Pan, a homemade drum kit and electric & acoustic guitars are embraced and caressed to bring their songs and stories to life.

The Adventurists tour takes place on two bicycles towing a mini mobile pop out stage and a small solar powered P.A. How cool is that?

(more…)

On Saturday the 16th May the Niton and District Camera Club will be
holding its annual Exhibition of prints at the Niton Village Hall.

The Exhibition starts at 10:00 and runs to 1:00, tea and coffee available.

There will be a small entrance charge. Check out their Website for more info.

Image: The Good Fairy

If you’re aiming to comment on the planning application to retain the last remaining Georgian workers cottages on the Isle of Wight, you’ll need to get your comments in by 4pm today.

For more background on Couthy Butts, we have previously interviewed the applicant, filmed the site and took lots of photos. Listening to the podcast or watching the film may help you decide on which way you think the application should go.

You can comment online on the Planning Web site.

A fundraising night is taking place this weekend in aid of the Niton Play Park Appeal.

There will be a pudding and quiz night taking place at Niton Village Hall from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £5 per person (approx four people per team) and available from Lynne on 731602 or on 07890 948060.

Don’t forget to say where you heard about it.

The Niton Lantern parade takes place tomorrow evening.

Setting off at 6.15 from Niton Primary School, the parade will circle the village and finish the procession at the church where a Christmas service will take place.

There is normally something going on at the Post Office or the Pub afterwards.

Everyone welcome.

This coming Sunday, The Wellbeing Presents … The Foxes, The Wellbeing, Ryan O’Reilly and more!

Isle of Wight based band, The Wellbeing, stage a remarkable night of live music this coming Sunday 16th November from 7pm at The Buddle in Niton.

As well as featuring the Island band’s first home set since the IW Festival this Summer, the gig will feature a headline set from The Foxes, hailed by critics and fans alike as ‘the saviours of British Guitar music’, and singer songwriter Ryan O’Reilly and his band.

The Foxes’ recent single Trauma Town peaked at number 9 in the UK Indie Charts, and according to music magazine the NME, they “have the talent and confidence to make a huge impact on the UK music scene”.

(more…)

One of our favourite manor houses in the South, The Enchanted Manor has some treats planned for this Halloween.

On 31st October, they will be hosting a Haunted House Party at the Manor with “quizzes, games and ghost stories, followed by a supper of Graveyard Goulash, spooky spuds and witches brew”.

As is usual on the Wight, dressing up for the event is compulsory – in true enchanted stylee dress code is strictly witches, wizards, fairies and enchanted characters.

(more…)

The next meeting of the Niton and Distict Camera club will be at the Niton Village Hall next Tuesday evening.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and visitors are as welcome as members.

This time there will be an open competition for prints, do come along and join in.

Image: VentnorBlog

Keen photographers in the South, don’t forget that the Niton and District Camera Club starts up again tomorrow night.

Just pop along to the Village Hall in Niton, where members will be showing photos shot during the summer outing to Castlehaven.

Visitors are very welcome to attend.

Image of Niton Village Hall reproduced courtesy of Auntie P, copyright remains with the photographer

If you went along to the Niton and District Camera Club Exhibition this summer and felt inspired, why not join the group?

The Autumn season starts next week with a meeting at the Village Hall in Niton.

Members will be showing work taken on the summer outing to Castlehaven.

Visitors are very welcome to attend.

Image: Castlehaven courtesy of Claude